Prunella vulgaris, Self-heal

Common Name: Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris, more commonly known as Self-heal, can be seen creeping through the short turf of a grassland or the uncut grass of a woodland clearing or roadside verge; it can even pop up in lawns that haven't been treated with chemicals. It is easily recognisable by its upright, oblong, dense cluster of violet flowers.

After flowering the head persists as a purple-tinged seed head. This stands on top of a stem with a pair of oval, stalked leaves immediately below it. It grows in meadows, hedgerows and in ditches, and is very tolerant of poor soils. It will even persist in grass paths subject to frequent walking. As the name suggests, it was once widely used in herbal medicine. It is generally pollinated by bees and flowers May to September.

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